The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

This Sunday, January 11, 2026, the Sunday after the Epiphany of the Lord, is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Church says that the Christmas Season concludes after this feast. The Christmas decorations in the church are removed after this celebration.

I want to take this time, as the Director of Worship: Liturgy & Music, to express my significant gratitude to those who have ministered in our worship throughout 2025:

The People of God at St. Lawrence Martyr Parish: The people sitting and standing and kneeling in the pews have a significant role in our worship, in our liturgies. You are the assembly in whom God’s presence is manifested and revealed. From the assembly come all the other ministries of our worship, worthy of the community’s gratitude: Altar Servers, Altar Society, Art & Environment, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Liturgical Movement (Dancers), Sacristans,

Usher/Greeter Hospitality—a special mention to Eve Moir for coordinating these ministries. Thank you, Audio-Visual Tech Ministry, Ministers of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Music Ministry at all the Masses, and Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Members of the Bereavement Ministry also serve at Mass, as well as those who assist with weddings. This column highlights the ministries that serve directly during Mass and does not diminish the community's gratitude to those ministries that serve in other areas of the parish. We thank them, too! Of course, great thanks to the clergy: Deacon Dale Sheckler, Deacon Jim Egnatuk, and Deacon Don Burt—and their wives!—visiting priests, Msgr. Peter O’Reilly, Fr. Charles Balamaze, and Msgr. Paul Dotson.